Training Report - 3/12

[Bartram_Class]

Stolen from Demonland (Theo, thank you)

Went down to training at Casey Fields yesterday.

Strauss and Blease had there first training session. They certainly look like young boys that need to do plenty of gym work.

Frawley has bulked up a bit, Cheney and Maloney look very solid. Meesen and PJ finished the session doing ruck work together. Meesen certainly has a great physique and seemed to do well in most of the general drills. His marking was as good as anyone else; it's a shame that he doesn't seem to have the same confidence in a real match.

Robbo was certainly favouring his injury and seemed fairly restricted, although he was kicking the ball (short kicks). McLean looked in pretty good shape and did most of the drills. Standing near the boys and kicking the balls back that went over the fence I must admit that the so-called angel of the team Cam Bruce has the foulest mouth even though it's all in good fun.

Anyway, at the end of training I noticed some unfamiliar faces doing stretches so I asked Brent Maloney who they were. He said that they were invitees hoping to get a chance on the rookie list. I'm pretty certain the names he gave me were:

Jordie McKenzie from Geelong Falcons (there is a video of him on you tube, guernsey No 46)

Two boys from Oakleigh Chargers: Benjamin White and Samuel O'Sullvan.

Ben played 8 matches this year and averaged 8 kicks a game, 8 handballs and 4 tackles.

SOS played 2 matches and only had a total of 8 kicks, 5 Hballs and 6 tackles.

Are they KPP types? Absolutely not. More of the same that we drafted last Saturday.

I think Dean's plan is to play like the Irish - hard at it, good hands and foot skills and smother the opposition with our competitiveness. I spoke to him last week before the draft and couldn't help myself by mentioning that it would be great if we could improve our kick-in strategy as we seem very slow in clearing the ball compared to other teams. I also mentioned that we need more strength in the team as we seem like boys against men sometimes. He didn't comment on the kick-ins but mentioned that this year we will be a lot fitter and a number of the boys have bulked up. He said that last year we weren't fit enough and many of the boys did not complete a full pre-season. I said that if we picked Watts I hope we also draft another KPP forward to help him as the opposition will easily be able to cover him. He just gave me a wry smile.

By the way Sibosado for Oakleigh Chargers played 7 matches. He kicked 14 goals, 2 times in the best, 43 kicks, 21 handballs 15 tackles,11 contested marks and 12 uncontested.

 

[Dez!]

Damn Bailey is a tease.

I'm impressed with Brucey though, never thought the man had a foul word in him.

 

[melbournemartin]

Maybe he got out of the wrong side of his bed with Green?

 

[demonfan9]

Good to see Meesen is training the house down.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

From a Melbourne supporter's point of view, do you think Rohan Bail will play more than say half a dozen games next season? Just asking because IIRC, he was a mature aged recruit so could come onto the scene nice and early.

 

[Dez!]

From a Melbourne supporter's point of view, do you think Rohan Bail will play more than say half a dozen games next season? Just asking because IIRC, he was a mature aged recruit so could come onto the scene nice and early.

I'd say he was picked up to slot right into the 22 if form warrants selection, he won't be eased into things I don't think.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

I'd say he was picked up to slot right into the 22 if form warrants selection, he won't be eased into things I don't think.

Thanks for the reply Dez.

 

[Deenamite]

From a Melbourne supporter's point of view, do you think Rohan Bail will play more than say half a dozen games next season? Just asking because IIRC, he was a mature aged recruit so could come onto the scene nice and early.

Dream Team questions starting nice and early again i see.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Dream Team questions starting nice and early again i see.

No, no. Just interested in him as he was one of few mature aged recruits, could be worth putting a bit of money on for the NAB Rising Star award.

 

[AFL is Number One]

Good to see Meesen is training the house down.

=====================================================

Looks like half the team is " T.T.H.D." We are in for a great year.

 

[Bartram_Class]

No, no. Just interested in him as he was one of few mature aged recruits, could be worth putting a bit of money on for the NAB Rising Star award.

Come back after the NAB Cup, we'll know a bit more then.

I will say though, of all our draftees, he looms most likely to get gametime next year.

 

[Dez!]

Come back after the NAB Cup, we'll know a bit more then.

I will say though, of all our draftees, he looms most likely to get gametime next year.

I would say most likely to get the MOST game time.

In this modern day of AFL football I think that every draftee will play at least one game in their first season.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Come back after the NAB Cup, we'll know a bit more then.

Yep, I'll be back later on down the track. Thanks for all your help fellaz.